Priority Alert System

Abstract

A method for transmitting a priority alert to a client computer provides for the streaming of a video alert message, displaying text of a video alert message or displaying a website identifier of a video alert message to pre-selected display zones. The client computer automatically polls a remote server. The alerts are automatically transmitted without requiring input at the client computer.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method to transmit a priority alert message to a client computer controlling a screen from a server hosting a priority alert file comprising:
 (a) periodically polling said hosting server;   (b) retrieving said priority alert file from said hosting server if an alert is identified;   (c) reading the contents of said priority alert file;   (d) if said priority alert file contains video, video streaming said alert message on said screen;   (e) if said priority alert file contains text, displaying text of said alert message on said screen;   (f) if said priority alert file contains a web page identifier, displaying said web page identifier on said screen; and   (g) where steps (a)-(f) are automatically accomplished without user input at said client computer.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said priority alert file is encrypted and further comprising decrypting said priority alert file. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein step (d) further comprises determining the video type of the video. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein step (e) further comprises specifying a color for the text. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising generating a “no cancel” command and preventing cancellation of the priority alert message in the event of the “no cancel” command. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising selecting zones for displaying the priority alert message. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising incorporating a duration time into said priority alert file and further comprising terminating priority alert video, text or website identification upon expiration of the time duration. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising providing a screen-type parameter and displaying said video or text in accordance with the screen-type parameter. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising automatically terminating the display of a priority alert message. 
     
     
         10 . A method to transmit a priority alert to a client computer controlling at least one display zone from a server hosting a priority alert file comprising:
 (a) loading a client interface program on a client computer;   (b) employing said client interface program to periodically poll said hosting server;   (c) retrieving said priority alert file from said hosting server if an alert is identified;   (d) reading the contents of said priority alert file;   (e) using the priority alert file to identify at least one selected zone for displaying a priority alert;   (f) if said priority alert file contains video, video streaming said alert at each said selected zone;   (g) if said priority alert file contains text, displaying text of said alert at each said selected zone;   (h) if said zone priority alert file contains a web page identifier, displaying said web page identifier at each said selected zone; and   (i) where steps (b)-(h) are automatically accomplished without user input at said client computer.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said priority alert file is encrypted and further comprising decrypting said priority alert file. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein step (f) further comprises determining the video type of the video. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein step (g) further comprises specifying a color for the text. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising generating a “no cancel” command and preventing cancellation of the priority alert in the event of the “no cancel” command. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising incorporating a duration time into said priority alert file and further comprising terminating priority alert video, text or website identification upon expiration of the time duration. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising providing a screen-type parameter and displaying said video or text in accordance with the screen-type parameter. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising automatically terminating the display of a priority alert. 
     
     
         18 . A method to transmit a priority alert message to a client computer controlling a display screen from a server hosting a priority alert file comprising:
 (a) loading an interface program on said client computer;   (b) periodically polling said hosting server;   (c) accessing said priority alert file from said hosting server if an alert is identified;   (d) reading the contents of said priority alert file;   (e) if said priority alert file contains video, video streaming said alert message on said screen;   (f) if said priority alert file contains text, displaying text of said alert message on said screen; and   (g) where steps (b)-(f) are automatically accomplished without user input at said client computer.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said priority alert file is encrypted and further comprising decrypting said priority alert file. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said client computer further controls a plurality of screens each defining a display zone and further comprising selecting zones from said priority alert file for displaying the priority alert.